GN applauds new four-year collective deal for its public service employees

The Government of Nunavut says it’s pleased the public service employees voted Sept. 18 in favour of a new collective agreement.

“The Government of Nunavut values the contributions and dedication of its public servants and our new four-year collective agreement reflects this to the best of our ability in these tight economic times,” said a statement from Monica Ell, the minister responsible for human resources.

The Nunavut Employees Union members avoided a strike by voting to ratify a wage-benefit deal the union tentatively struck with the GN this past July.

A total of 73 per cent of GN employees covered by the collective agreement and who cast ballots voted in favour of the deal.

The result, released Sept. 18, means NEU members will receive an annual wage increase of one, one, 2.5 and three per cent over the life of a four-year deal.

The agreement is retroactive to Oct. 1, 2010 and runs until Sept. 30, 2014, Overall, the four-year deal will see salaries increase by 7.5 per cent.

Other changes to the agreement include how leave is calculated for general, annual, special and sick leave, the addition of a new category of employee – relief employees as well as some wording changes in other areas.

The GN and NEU have agreed to continue to work together on other issues of importance to both the employees and the employer, including Northern Allowance, training for corrections staff, and contracting for employment, the GN statement said.